peninsula wrote:After ordering the DeLorme PN-60w and Spot device, it turned out I got the Spot device for smart phones, and not the one for the PN60! It was frustrating because the two Spot devices look almost identical. As I came to find out, the Spot device for DeLorme got pulled off the market as it was found to be defective and is no longer available. I returned the Spot device and replaced it with DeLorme's "In Reach" device which does allow texting, but is even better as the texting can be two way. I installed Parallels Desktop for MacPro computers and Windows 7 to utilize Delorme's Topo-NA software. I needed tech support from Parallels to configure Windows, and they were very good. Parallels tech support is free for only 20 or 30 days. All said and done, it has been a real pain to make this work, not to mention the substantial expense. But, I now have everything up and running, and I am impressed with the product. Running Windows 7 on a Mac is a first for me and seamless once installed, but it would sure be a heck of a lot easier if Delorme would cater to Mac users! From what they had to say when consulting tech support for Delorme, there are no plans to accomodate Mac users in the foreseeable future, they say there are not enough Mac users to justify the expense! I find that hard to believe.

All said and done, it is going to be sweet having the ability to text from remote backcountry locations.

Interesting.I am thinking about going the Delorme route as well, with as much time as I spend solo in the sticks.

TimB wrote:Interesting.I am thinking about going the Delorme route as well, with as much time as I spend solo in the sticks.

I've been taking my time learning Delorme, and I'm finally up to speed. It is impressive. Topo NA is excellent mapping software, up a level in its complexity compared to Garmin's options, but more functionality once up to speed. Having to learn a Windows-based software (ugh) has been my disincentive towards Delorme all these years until finally biting the bullet. The effort has proved rewarding.

One last thing, Delorme, I'm baffled why you persist in a PC-only platform. I just don't get it? It reminds me of religious warfare, there is nothing rational about it.

I'm pretty sure DeLorme is much more interested in profits than OS wars. If they could covert easily to Mac, they would. It took Garmin years, and Magellan is still struggling. Hand-held GPS units comprise a relatively small market, and you must find a programmer who is both versed in obscure embedded-processor programming, as well as the high-level language programming compatible with the OS. Embedded microprocessor emulators mainly run under windows, so there is a bias toward that platform. A lot of programming is done in places where PC clones can be purchased quite cheaply.

If you want someone to blame, look to Apple. If Apple really wanted to help GPS programmers, they could; but chances are they have no interest in such a small market, particularly if it competes with the iPhone. In the past, Apple was uncooperative toward markets that required low-level programming on non-Apple devices, and drove much of the business to windows. This is not like developing an app for a smartphone; the incentive is small, the tools are much more primitive, and the interface program has to communicate between two operating systems and two very different sets of computer hardware (the console computer, and the GPS).

I'm pretty sure DeLorme is much more interested in profits than OS wars. If they could covert easily to Mac, they would. It took Garmin years, and Magellan is still struggling. Hand-held GPS units comprise a relatively small market, and you must find a programmer who is both versed in obscure embedded-processor programming, as well as the high-level language programming compatible with the OS. Embedded microprocessor emulators mainly run under windows, so there is a bias toward that platform. A lot of programming is done in places where PC clones can be purchased quite cheaply.

If you want someone to blame, look to Apple. If Apple really wanted to help GPS programmers, they could; but chances are they have no interest in such a small market, particularly if it competes with the iPhone. In the past, Apple was uncooperative toward markets that required low-level programming on non-Apple devices, and drove much of the business to windows. This is not like developing an app for a smartphone; the incentive is small, the tools are much more primitive, and the interface program has to communicate between two operating systems and two very different sets of computer hardware (the console computer, and the GPS).

Well, that does explain a good deal, thanks MoapaPk! I did read Jobs' biography. He definitely had a paranoid streak. Got give him credit for creativity, but he could certainly have been less selfish. Good read, BTW... a no-punches-held biographer.